Five Key Matchups: Broncos at Bengals
Von Miller trying to tack down Cincinnati starting quarterback Jeff Driskel is just one of several good matchups to watch on Sunday.
![With Andy Dalton going to injured reserve with a thumb injury, QB Jeff Driskel is the next man up under center for the Bengals. The third-year pro has shown good speed and athleticism as both a runner and a passer.
"Obviously have a rush plan for a guy like that is going to be critical, and just playing good defense," Head Coach Vance Joseph said Wednesday when asked how the Broncos can contain Driskel. "We're not going to discount this guy's ability."
Whether he can outrun Von Miller, though, remains to be seen. Miller has at least a half-sack in six consecutive games, and he'll be looking to extend that streak to seven in a row on Sunday. His 11 sacks this season ranks tied for fourth in the NFL.
"Jeff Driskel, he's a very fast quarterback," Miller said Thursday. "He has true speed, and we can't fall into a trap [of underestimating him.]"](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album_2x/f_auto/broncos/zu50hbe5iucbfg5vkb43.jpg)
With Andy Dalton going to injured reserve with a thumb injury, QB Jeff Driskel is the next man up under center for the Bengals. The third-year pro has shown good speed and athleticism as both a runner and a passer.
"Obviously have a rush plan for a guy like that is going to be critical, and just playing good defense," Head Coach Vance Joseph said Wednesday when asked how the Broncos can contain Driskel. "We're not going to discount this guy's ability."
Whether he can outrun Von Miller, though, remains to be seen. Miller has at least a half-sack in six consecutive games, and he'll be looking to extend that streak to seven in a row on Sunday. His 11 sacks this season ranks tied for fourth in the NFL.
"Jeff Driskel, he's a very fast quarterback," Miller said Thursday. "He has true speed, and we can't fall into a trap [of underestimating him.]"
![With Andy Dalton going to injured reserve with a thumb injury, QB Jeff Driskel is the next man up under center for the Bengals. The third-year pro has shown good speed and athleticism as both a runner and a passer.
"Obviously have a rush plan for a guy like that is going to be critical, and just playing good defense," Head Coach Vance Joseph said Wednesday when asked how the Broncos can contain Driskel. "We're not going to discount this guy's ability."
Whether he can outrun Von Miller, though, remains to be seen. Miller has at least a half-sack in six consecutive games, and he'll be looking to extend that streak to seven in a row on Sunday. His 11 sacks this season ranks tied for fourth in the NFL.
"Jeff Driskel, he's a very fast quarterback," Miller said Thursday. "He has true speed, and we can't fall into a trap [of underestimating him.]"](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album_2x/t_lazy/f_auto/broncos/sodowsf42jodogfjb69e.jpg)
With Andy Dalton going to injured reserve with a thumb injury, QB Jeff Driskel is the next man up under center for the Bengals. The third-year pro has shown good speed and athleticism as both a runner and a passer.
"Obviously have a rush plan for a guy like that is going to be critical, and just playing good defense," Head Coach Vance Joseph said Wednesday when asked how the Broncos can contain Driskel. "We're not going to discount this guy's ability."
Whether he can outrun Von Miller, though, remains to be seen. Miller has at least a half-sack in six consecutive games, and he'll be looking to extend that streak to seven in a row on Sunday. His 11 sacks this season ranks tied for fourth in the NFL.
"Jeff Driskel, he's a very fast quarterback," Miller said Thursday. "He has true speed, and we can't fall into a trap [of underestimating him.]"
![Over the past two weeks, Chris Harris Jr. has shown why he's one of the best in the business at cornerback, registering two interceptions and three passes defensed. His next test, though, is a tough one: seven-time Pro Bowler A.J. Green, who is returning from a toe injury.
But covering the other team's top target is nothing new for Harris. Last week, he limited Steelers star Antonio Brown to three catches for 18 yards when covering him — well below his season average — and stopped Brown from finding the end zone. Until that point, Brown had scored in every game since Week 2.
"I'm up for the challenge," Harris said Wednesday. "To be All-Pro, you've got to play everybody. You can't run from anybody, and I want to show everybody that I can cover number one [wide receivers, and] I can cover anybody in the slot. It doesn't matter. I've got a lot to prove."](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album_2x/t_lazy/f_auto/broncos/ydpk5crvpuz1so2kt70j.jpg)
Over the past two weeks, Chris Harris Jr. has shown why he's one of the best in the business at cornerback, registering two interceptions and three passes defensed. His next test, though, is a tough one: seven-time Pro Bowler A.J. Green, who is returning from a toe injury.
But covering the other team's top target is nothing new for Harris. Last week, he limited Steelers star Antonio Brown to three catches for 18 yards when covering him — well below his season average — and stopped Brown from finding the end zone. Until that point, Brown had scored in every game since Week 2.
"I'm up for the challenge," Harris said Wednesday. "To be All-Pro, you've got to play everybody. You can't run from anybody, and I want to show everybody that I can cover number one [wide receivers, and] I can cover anybody in the slot. It doesn't matter. I've got a lot to prove."
![On pace for his fourth 1,000-yard season as a Bronco, Emmanuel Sanders comes into this game with some momentum after a seven-catch, 86-yard, one-touchdown performance against the Steelers. Sanders has shown strong chemistry with quarterback Case Keenum, catching a career-high 72.8 percent of his targets this season, the best mark of his career.
"I just feel like [Keenum]'s getting comfortable — getting comfortable with the system — and he's giving guys opportunities, and we're making those plays for him as well," Sanders said Wednesday
Sanders will face a tough matchup against Dre Kirkpatrick, who had a 101-yard interception return the last time these two teams played. Kirkpatrick missed the Bengals' last game due to a shoulder injury, but he'll be anxious to make an impact in his returns.](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album_2x/t_lazy/f_auto/broncos/fiowi59tfbmxh6eqqso1.jpg)
On pace for his fourth 1,000-yard season as a Bronco, Emmanuel Sanders comes into this game with some momentum after a seven-catch, 86-yard, one-touchdown performance against the Steelers. Sanders has shown strong chemistry with quarterback Case Keenum, catching a career-high 72.8 percent of his targets this season, the best mark of his career.
"I just feel like [Keenum]'s getting comfortable — getting comfortable with the system — and he's giving guys opportunities, and we're making those plays for him as well," Sanders said Wednesday
Sanders will face a tough matchup against Dre Kirkpatrick, who had a 101-yard interception return the last time these two teams played. Kirkpatrick missed the Bengals' last game due to a shoulder injury, but he'll be anxious to make an impact in his returns.
![If this game means a little bit extra to anyone, it's Domata Peko Sr., who spent the first 11 years of his career in Cincinnati.
"It's gonna be cool, it's gonna be crazy, it's gonna be a whole mix of emotions," Peko said Wednesday. "I'm gonna be happy to be back, but I'm also gonna be [angry] to be back. I want to go out there and prove to them that they let me go too early and show the city what they're missing out on."
Peko played one of his finest games as a Bronco last year when these two teams met, recording six tackles and two tackles for loss. He helped hold dynamic Cincinnati running back Joe Mixon to just 49 yards, and if the Broncos can have similar success this season, they should gain the upper hand defensively.](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album_2x/t_lazy/f_auto/broncos/fmtkyfjylptxp2ptjovo.jpg)
If this game means a little bit extra to anyone, it's Domata Peko Sr., who spent the first 11 years of his career in Cincinnati.
"It's gonna be cool, it's gonna be crazy, it's gonna be a whole mix of emotions," Peko said Wednesday. "I'm gonna be happy to be back, but I'm also gonna be [angry] to be back. I want to go out there and prove to them that they let me go too early and show the city what they're missing out on."
Peko played one of his finest games as a Bronco last year when these two teams met, recording six tackles and two tackles for loss. He helped hold dynamic Cincinnati running back Joe Mixon to just 49 yards, and if the Broncos can have similar success this season, they should gain the upper hand defensively.
